Covid-19 Cases in Indonesia Could Reach 120,000 by Independence Day: Jusuf Kalla

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesia could be home to 120,000 Covid-19 cases by Independence Day on August 17, warns Indonesian Red Cross Chairman Jusuf Kalla.

It took two months for Indonesia to record its first 10,000 Covid-19 cases.

But more recently, it takes only seven days for Indonesia to reach 10,000 cases since the country has an average new infection of 1,000 Covid-19 cases per day.

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Based on Jusuf Kalla’s calculation, there might be 100,000 Covid-19 cases in Indonesia by the end of July.

As such, the country might have 120,000 Covid-19 cases by August 17 if the Indonesian government does not take drastic measures.

Jusuf Kalla’s assessment is that the rapid transmission of the coronavirus will spread even faster if the Indonesian government is not assertive in their actions.

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The former Indonesian Vice President shared that the most effective way to mitigate the virus transmission is to limit the movement of people as well as to conduct regular disinfecting.

“I don’t think there’s a more effective way of mitigating the coronavirus pandemic other than limiting the movement of people. How that’s done is up to the government. Certainly, the Indonesian Red Cross will support them in efforts such as spraying disinfectants since it is the only way to kill the virus,” said Jusuf Kalla.

Covid-19 updates

On July 15, the National Covid-19 Task Force announced 1,552 new Covid-19 cases in Indonesia over the past 24 hours.

The nationwide tally now amounts to 80,094 Covid-19 cases.

There are 1,414 Covid-19 patients that have recovered in the past 24 hours as well as 87 new deaths related to the virus.

Read also: Indonesian Health Minister Takes Direct Charge of Covid-19 Mitigation Efforts in East Java